Impressive MD Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we gear back up for holiday tournaments this weekend, I'd like to take a look back at a few teams that have impressed so far this season without receiving the fanfare that they might deserve. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St Frances 12-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Panthers came out hot out of the gate, going 11-1 in their first 12 games with wins over Stepinac (66-58), @MSJ (70-66), Spalding (70-65), Coolidge (66-60), Boys Latin (72-58). Our scouts have been impressed with the play of their starting backcourt of Fisk ('26) and Jones ('27) has allowed the Panthers to continue playing at a breakneck space with little drop-off despite losing 2 starters to transfer before the season. Coach Myles picked up his 400th win in 14 years on Chase Street with the Coolidge win in the Capital City National Showcase. Interested to see how this team full of new pieces competes down the home stretch of the season as they go from the hunter to the hunted in the BCL and MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMatha: (6-1) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Stags entered the season ready to prove that they are here to stay and got that going right away with a win over Sidwell in the Mayhem on Military Rd showcase Thanksgiving weekend. '26 Ace Meeks continues to prove his value as an elite scorer and shooter that also is making more reads in side PnR actions. Fellow unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2113258' first='Jaden' last='Shoultz'] has really boomed in the early going to show his value as a 3+D slasher that can make defenses pay for over-helping. The '27 front court trio of Abass/Jeffers has combined to shut down several big time opposing front courts while flashing their skill development growth as scorers from 15' and in.&nbsp;The Stags have started off the TPHS Holiday Classic with a win over Winward and will play Torrey Pines at 3:30 PM today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt Carmel (13-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Cougars have surprised some folks as a team that has jumped out to a really strong start despite missing their starting PG for the first 8 games of the year, and they're doing it with defense and balanced scoring. Coach Tony Martin's crew has held 12 of their first 14 opponents under 50 points, with 12 double-digit wins in the early going that shows the successful buy-in to a hard-nosed brand of basketball. '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1782603' first='Gage' last='Howard'] is turning in consistent double-double efforts to the tune of 14p 9r, '27 frontcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='2454529' first='Junior' last='Mancho'] has made some big skill development jumps and is averaging close to 10p 10r, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2547340' first='Antwan' last='Williams'] has been giving the Cougars a dynamic slasher and defender as a consistent starter this season. OLMC will face off against Unicoi County at 1 pm in a holiday tournament in Tennessee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holding stock in:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverdale Baptist (5-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach Garner stepped into season 1 in Riverdale looking for some smoke and his team has answered the bell in a few key matchups. The Crusaders beat Takoma Academy 71-66 to start things off and followed that win up with a 56-51 victory on the road against a good Sidwell Friends group. They beat VA Academy 80-52 at home, a good Salesianum team on the road 93-69 before dropping two straight games in single digits to league opponents in Evergreen Christian and Highland. Senior PG [player_tooltip player_id='1588140' first='Ean' last='McLaughlin'] has put together some huge scoring performances while the senior duo of Dez Ainsworth and DJ Robinson has given their team a consistent slashing and scoring presence. Junior G [player_tooltip player_id='2629848' first='Kyle' last='Logan'] should continue to turn heads as a versatile G/W tweener that can really fill it up. The cyclical nature of the season leads me to believe that they could come together at the end of the season and play spoiler in their league playoffs as well as other postseason tournaments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->